{"id":55071,"date":"2018-07-31T13:34:18","date_gmt":"2018-07-31T13:34:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2018\/07\/31\/davids-sling-missile-system-used-for-first-time-by-israel\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T00:05:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T00:05:51","slug":"davids-sling-missile-system-used-for-first-time-by-israel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/smr\/space-missile-defense\/2018\/07\/31\/davids-sling-missile-system-used-for-first-time-by-israel\/","title":{"rendered":"Israel activated its David\u2019s Sling missile system for the first time. Will more sales start booming?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

JERUSALEM \u2015 Israel\u2019s first-time activation of its David\u2019s Sling Weapon System could serve as the catalyst for export marketing efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The missile defense system was fired July 23 to counter a missile threat. It launched two interceptors to counter two SS-21 ballistic missiles that had been fired by Syrian government forces during fighting against rebels near the Golan Heights. The Syrian missiles fell within Syrian territory. One of the interceptors self-destructed over the Golan Heights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to The Jerusalem Post, the event is being investigated to determine if the system operated successfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Iron Dome shown to be successful and an Arrow missile used to down a Syrian surface-to-air missile in March 2017, all the layers of Israel\u2019s advanced missile defense have been put to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

David\u2019s Sling was co-developed by Raytheon and Israel\u2019s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. Raytheon was chosen in 2004 as a partner by Israel\u2019s Ministry of Defense, and the company worked to develop the system\u2019s Stunner interceptor missile, which is designed to intercept missiles, drones, aircraft and other ordnance. In contrast to Israel\u2019s Iron Dome system and its Tamir missiles, the Stunner uses hit-to-kill technology, which is designed to maneuver and strike an incoming threat, rather than detonate in proximity to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first-time use of David\u2019s Sling may increase the ability to sell and export the system if it can be shown to be successful. Recently, Rafael signed a cooperation agreement with Romania that involves Iron Dome, which could potentially lead to more sales. Ballistic missile threats launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen at Saudi Arabia, as well as uncertainty on the Korean Peninsula, offer other potential markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

David\u2019s Sling includes an active electronically scanned array, multimission radar, which works to identify an incoming threat, target and guide the interception. The radar was designed by Elta Systems, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries. Elisra, a subdivision of Elbit, developed the command-and-control components.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The system was tested to confront groups of threats that might emerge, such as a salvo of rockets and ballistic missiles. In May, 20 Iranian Grad and Fajr rockets were fired at Israel from Syria and intercepted by Iron Dome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The David\u2019s Sling was designed to be one part of Israel\u2019s expanding multilayered missile defense. Operating at longer ranges than the Iron Dome, it is designed to confront medium-range threats from 40-155 miles, while the Arrow confronts longer-range threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Israel is eyeing a new 10-year, $8 billion plan to bolster its missile defenses. According to Raytheon, \u201cteams in nearly 30 U.S. states across the U.S. are dedicated to producing the [David\u2019s Sling] missile and its firing unit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The system was tested five times between 2012 and January 2017 before being declared fully operational in April 2017. It was initially developed to counter threats from Hezbollah\u2019s arsenal, including the Zelzal, the Iranian Fajr-5 and Fateh 110, and Syria\u2019s M600, as well as Scud missiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hezbollah\u2019s rockets had fallen on Israel with impunity in the 2006 conflict, and Israel\u2019s Defense Ministry indicated in 2013 that it had high hopes for David\u2019s Sling to give Israel the ability to \u201cdeal with threats with far higher efficiency.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after the Syrian civil war broke out in 2011, Israel became concerned about a potential Iran-backed threat emerging in Syria as well as other missile threats launched by additional groups in the region amid the instability of the last several years.<\/p>\n\n\n\t